Cornucopia-folding machine



June 22 1926.

G. A. SHAFFER ET AL CORNUCOPIA FOLDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 31, 1.924 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 A 7}"TOR NEYS June 29 G. A. SHAFFER ET AL CORNUCOPIA FOLDjING MACHINE Filed Dec, 31, 1924 '7 Sheets-Sheet June 29 Filed Dec. 31

June 2% 9 192,

G. A. SE-IAFFEIR ET AL CORNUCOPIA FOLDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 31, 9 '7 Sheets-$heet 5 INVEXYI 0R w JW W W WW mam 5F June 29 1926 1,590,652

G. A. SHAFFER ET AL.

CORNUGOPIA FOLDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 31, 1924 r .7 Sheets-Sheet s June 29 1926. I G. A. SHAFFER EIAL CORNUGOPIA' FOLDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 51, 1924 v Sheets-Sheet 7 figuRE HQURE IE A TTORNEYS.

Patented June 29, 1926.

.U l 1 lTlE.DSai -WES PATENT OFFICE.

GLENN A SHAFIER AND FRANKLIN H. WIRTZ, Q13 GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN.

CQRNUCOZPI'A-FOLDING MACHINE.

Application filed December 31, 1924. Serial .No. 759,060.

folded in a unique manner and cut in the desired size, so that units in cornucopia form will be dehvered from the said machine, the mechanism for cutting and fold ing the paper being of novel'form and the parts thereof operatingin a novel manner.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a machine of this character, wherein strips ofpaper are fed into the same and primarily folded and cutinto ynapkin size, and thereafter finally further and cutting of the strips being, automatically effected, so that the machine performs in anefiicient tinuousi A further object of the invention is the provision of a machine of this character, wherein the folded 'napkins are automatically stacked in a receiver or container for the subsequent packaging thereof in any desirable manner. I

-A still further objectof the invention is the provision'of a machine. of. this character, in which the cornucopia folding rolls are: novel in form, arrangement, and open atio'ni as well as the tucking elements cooperating therewith,- for the complete and accurate folding of the napkin units.

- A still further ohject' of the invention is the provision of a machine of this character,

which is conuoaratively simple in construc tion. thoroughly reliable and efficient in its purpose. maintaining accuracy in theauto- Inatic operation thereof. strong. durable, requiring little or no attention in the working of the same, and coul mrativcly inexpensire in the manufacture and insta lation.

With these and other objects in View the invention consists in the features of construction. coinhination andarrangement of parts. as will. he hereinafter more fully. dedescribed, illustrated in the accompanying drawings. wherein the preferred embodi- .right hand triangle. folded into cornucopiaform. the folding manner and the operation is conment ofsaid invention is disclosed, and as will be pointed. out 'in the claims hereunto appended.

responding parts throu frame; I. Y

Secured to the rear edges of the side see- In the accompanying drawings :v Figure 1, is a front elevation of'the machine constructed in accordance with the invention, looking from the discharge or trough side thereof.

Figure 2, is a side elevation thereof. Figure 3, is an enlarged sectional elevation taken through the primary folding and cutting rolls, the feed rolls, the conical rolls, and the trough in their assembled relation to each other,

Figure 4, is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 1-4: of Figure 3.

Figure 5, is a sectional View taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3, the left hand tucker being broken awayto show theronioal rolls infull view, and the paper is shown on the Figureti, is a fragmentary detail sectional view, showing one of the positions of the foldingand ,Qutting mechanisms and the strip .of paper.

Figure 7,'is a similar view to Figure 6, showing another position ofthe prim'arv folding and cutting mechanism. a i

Figure 8, shows a further position of the same.

' Figure9, is, a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line- '9-9' of Figure 2.

Figure 10, is a plan vicw'showing the completed folded napkin. 1

Figure 11. is a pup View showing the initial fold line for he t -rnucopia folding of the napkin.

=Figt1re 12'. isa similar view showing the initial, second and can fold lines foi' the complete cornucopia folding of the napkin.v Flgl'lllfllid, isa fragmentary horizontal scctional view taken through the vacuum roll an'tl the drivingconnections therefor.

Similar reference characters. indicate corghout the several rieu's in the drawings;

Referring to the drawings, in designates generally amain frame structure of the desired type for the machine, having to said side sections at their lower portions-gi is a vacuum box or tank 12, the same being located between the slde sections of the main detail, 'A.

spaced apart s ide sections 10, which are coni tions 10, of the frame A, are uprights 13, of a stand B, for removably'supporting paper rolls 14, preferably in superposed relation to each other, and each is carried upon a cross arbor 15, mounted in suitable releasable bearings 16, on the uprights 13.

On each arbor 15, is a brake drum 17, about which engages a releasable and adjustable brake band 18, the latter being adjustable by the adjusting device 19, so that the band 18. can betightened or slackened about said drum, as the occasion may require. The uprights 13, are joined through the medium of a cross rod 20, to prevent spreading thereof and to add rigidityto the stand B.

tl ournaled in the side sections 10, of the main frame A, in the top beams 22, thereof are transversely arranged lower and upper guide rollers and 24, respectively, over which are trained the paper strips 25 and 26, respectively, of the paper rolls 14,-

while suitably journaled in the frames 10, is a driving shaft 27, carrying a belt wheel 28, for connection with any suitable power plant, the shaft 27, also being fitted with a sprocket wheel 29, over which is trained an endless sprocket chain 30, the same being also-trained over a sprocket wheel 31, fast upon the journal of the lower guide roller 23, so that motion will be transmitted thereto. This sprocket chain 30, is trained over sprocket wheels 33-, and 34, on the journals -of the respective upper rollers 24, so that the same will rotate in unison.

Suspended from the upper tie rods 11,'are

forwardly inclined folders 35, over which pass the strips 25 and 26, for the initial folding of the same, after being unwound from the rolls 14, which folders are supported by braces 36, suitably mounted in the main frame A, as shown in Figure 1, of the drawings.

In the side sections 10, of the main frame A, below the folders are opposed face plates or cheeks 37, the same being fastened in place in any suitable manner, and in these plates are journaled the primary folding and cutting mechanism, comprising upper ill) presser rolls and feed roll 28 and 29,v rc. spectively, the presser rolls 38. each being carried upon a shaft 40, one of which is journaled in fixed boxings 41, and the other in adjustable boxings 42, so that one. roll can be adjusted relative to the other to properly pinch the paper passing therebetween. The feed roll 39, has formed therein longitudinally of the same a groove 46, in which is held a rubber cutting strip 47, to cooperate with aknife hereinafter described. The rubber strip 47, cooperates with a so" fe 43, mounted in a suction or partial iouum roll 49, which is located forwardi and. this roll 49, is journaled in a gland 50,

y and slightly below the feed roll 39,

and bearing 51, respectively, formed on the plates 37, while the shaft 43, of the roll 49,

has mounted thereon at its inner end :1 beveled gear 44, meshin with a companion beveled gear 45, mountec on shaft 27, so that 7 o motion will be imparted from one gear to the other.

The roll 49, is of hollow formation to provide a suction chamber 52, therein and in its-peripherial portion adjacent to the knife 76 48, are rows of perforations 53, while the outer surface of said roll at this locality is provided with serrations 54, whereby, the paper can be held more firmly on the roll,

when taken from the feed roll 39, under 80 the action of the suction through the per foration's 53, so that said paper will ,be

trained about the roll 49. g i

Below the rolls 39 and 49, are take-off and folding rolls 54 and 55, respectively, the 8 roll 54' being journaled in the plates or cheeks 37, while the roll 55, is journaled in a manner similar to the feed roll 39, to obtain a fixed distance between said rolls.

The take-off roll 54 is fitted with an adjust-.-

ting operations of the machine.

Located beneath the rolls 54' and 55, are strippers 60, and 61, respectively, which are hung in spaced vertical relation to each other upon cross rods 62, and 63, and have their'upper ends at'the inner edges reversely beveled at 64, to "provide a mouth entrance 65, for the free passage of the folded paper between the strippers in its downward movement, while the outer edges at the upper ends of said strippers are concaved at 66,

correspondingly to the grooves 67, in the rolls 54 and 55, so as to protrude slightly into the said grooves, as will be apparent in Figure 3, of the drawings, whereby the folded paper will be stripped from said' folding rolls 54' and 55, when the macbineis operating.

The spnce between the strippers 60, and (Sh-provides a wav 68, for the passing of the primarily folded napkins downwardly thercthrough, while each stripper 60, at or near its lower end is fitted with an adjus't-- able stop 69, to bring the napkins to rest at this point, for, a' purpose presently described. v

Coupled at .70, withthe packing gland 50, is a suction pipe 71, which leads downwardly exteriorly of the main frame A, and is connected as at 72, with the vacuum box or tank 12,-the latter being in communic'a- 125 tion at its bottom at 73, with a suction tube 74, leading from a suction fan (not shown). so that suction will be maintained in the fan,

box or tank 12, during the operationof said Journaled on the rods 62, and 63, between the'strippe'rs 60, and 61, are guide rollers 75, and 76, respectively, for the primarily folded napkins when the same have entered ethe way 68, Whilebeneath these rollers 75,

and 776, are opposed pinch rolls 77-, and 78, respectively, which are-adapted to feed the said folded napkins downwardly in the way 68, onto the stop 69, the strippers 61,.being of considerably lesslength than thestrippers 60, to accommodate beneath the same, guide checks or plates 79, which are disposed diagonally withrespect to the strip pers'60, to direct the primarily folded nap- 16 kins toward the final cornucopia folding mechanism hereinafter'fully described.

The cornucopia folding mechanism com-- I prises groups of three conical rolls 80, 81,

and 82, respectively, each, which are arranged in close relation to; one another in pyramid fashion diagonally with respect to the strippers 60, and 61. the upper ends of .Liheserolls. being free',' 'while the lower ends thereof are formed with journal stubs 83, upported on brackets 84, on and'rising fromhevacuum box or tank, 12, as shownv in ,Eigure 5, of the drawings. 7 Fixed'on the end 83, of the rolls 80, 81, and 82,are beveled gears 85, arranged in selected meshing engagement one with the other, so that said rolls will rotate in the directions indicated by the arrowsin Figure 3, of the drawings. The roll 80, has fitted. thereon. asecond beveled gear 86, meshing with'a companion beveled gear'87, on ."a

' driven shaft 88, suitably journaled in bearings '89, onthe box,or tank 12, and this shaft 88, at onegend'extends outside of the main frame A, which end carries a sprocket when 90, over which is trained a sprocket chain 91-, the same-being also trained over a sprocket wheel 92, on the outer end of a drivencam shaft 93, journaled in supporting bearings .94,"suitably mounted on the vacuum tank 12, fastened in the main frame A, of the machine.-

? Rising vertically from the box or tank ,12, midway between theside sections 10', of

the main frame A, are uprights 96, in-each of which is mounted slightly beyond the free end of thegroupof conical rolls 80, 81 and 82, adjacent thereto is a journal stud 97, on which is journaled the hub 98, of a swinging tucker arm 99, having the tucker blade 100, the hub 98, being formed with an extension-1 01, carrying a roller 102, for engagcment with a cam -103, mountedon a. driven shaft 104, suitably journaled transversely in the uprights 96. The stud 97, is, fitted with an adjustable tensioning spool 105, surrounded by a coiled tension spring 196, which acts directly up lonf the tucker :xrm 99, and in'this manner ,1: e roller- 102, is -.'!onstantly, held in contact with: the'camf103, for the positive :operation of the tucker latter will be transmitted to the said cam blade 100,. which latter is adaptedto operate in a path crosswise to the path of movement of a .primarytucker 107, mounted upon a supporting arm 108,- projecting from and carried by a reciprocating. plunger shaft 109, movable inguide housings 110, and 111, respectively in the cross-web of one 'side 10, and the upright 96, respectively.

.On the vacuum tank 12, are hangers 112,- and 113, and pivoted in the hangers 112, eachis a link 114, the same being also pivoted to athrow lever 115, pivotally connected with the .plunger shaft 109, to move the same. The lever 115, is fitted with rollers 116,

working against a cam 117, on the shaft 93,

which is also fitted with a further .ca'm 118,

against. which works rollers 11-9, carried by a rocker 120, pivoted at 121, in the hanger 113, at the lower end,,while' the upperend of the roekcrs'l20, is providedwith an adjustable eye 122. with which is engaged one end of a coiled retriactile spring. 123, the latter being connected with the pivot and 124, for the throw levers 115,'an-d in this manner the latter ismaintainedengaged. with and operated by' the cam 117, which serves to throw said lever 115, while the latter'willbc transmitted to the final cornucopia folding-mechanism as will-be clearly apparent.

The cam shaft 104, is fitted with a gear 134, meshing with a companion gear 135, on

the folding roll 55, sothat motion from the shaft to operate the tucker arm 99, herein-' before described.

Adi-ranged immediately beneath the grouped rolls 80. 81, and 82, and angularly sup ported by brackets 136', correspqn'dingly to the said rolls, is a cornucopia folded napkin receiving. trough 137, the inner entrance ends of, the latter being fitted with o posed marginal stops 138. adapted to hol d the napkins injected into the. said trough.

On each-plunger shaft 109, is an arm 139, carrying at; its angular free-end a cornucopia shaped paddle 140, which serves to push the finally folded napkins intolhe trough t 137, when saidnapkms -pass out from s-be tween the rolls 80, and 81 ,0f the group of cornucopia folding rollgzhfi qln e 'escribed. H I 'f Formed in the rolls 755'aii e r '5 ,eivedendless spring belts 142, and likewise the rolls 7.6, and 78, are formed with these grooves 141, fitted with the spring belts 142, which helts serve to prevent the paper from ,getting out of its proper path in the way 68,

during the downward travel of said paper to the final folding mechanism.

The roll 54', isincut at 143, for a portion of its periphery to allow for the clearance of the knife 48, while passing this roll, and free s a'id napkins subsequently to the final folding thereof into'square quarter form, and into the way 68, through the entrance 65, between the strippers 60, and 61, to be taken up by the guide rolls 75, and 76, and the pinch rolls.77, and 78, for the final cornuco pia folding operation.

It will be apparent that the strips of paper from the rolls 14, in the stand 13,are first folded by the folders 35, and rolls 38, and thereafter are acted upon by the suction roll 49, coacting with the roll 39, the. once folded paper being' trained'about the roll49, until wiped therefrom at the proper interval by the roll 54, which with the roll 55, folds the paper again, as the latter is cut off of the strip by the rubber strip 47, and knife 48, the required size, and thence the twice folded paper napkins are advanced into. the way 68, between the stri pers 60 and 61, the twice folded papereing in "the rolls 80, and 8.2, the tucker blade 100,

becomes active to crease the paper on the line P, and R, indicated in Figure 12, of the drawings, and force said paper between the rolls 80, and 81, thus completing the final copia form.

When the finally folded pa ex is deliveredfrom between the rolls 80, an {81, the paddle 140, advances to push the folded napkin into the trough 137, through the inner open month end thereof, and on retrieving of the paddle 140, the napkinis prevented from working back by the stops: 138, at opposite edges of the mouth of said trough, and in this manner the finally folded napkins are massed in the latter during the continued operation of the machine.

On the vacuum roll 49, is mounted a creaser 143 as shown in Figures 6, 7, and 8,

of the drawings, which creaser tends to puta crease in the napkin for the secondffold of the quarter fold so that the napkin is sure cornucopia folding of the napkin into COIIlU to break in a straight line, while thefrolI39,

is provided with a rubber strip 144,110 couct with said creaser 143', when the paper passes] between the said rolls 39, and 49, to assure the perfect creasing of the napkin.

T e rolls 38, 39, and 49, are fittedwith gears 145, meshing with each other for the operation of the same.

The cheek plates 37, are divided intotwo parts to facilitate the removal of the rolls without disturbing the whole machine, that is to say, rolls 38, 39,49 and 55, as will be clearly apparent ings.

What is claimedis: 1

' 1. A machine of the character described,

in Figure 2, ofthe drawcomprising a primary folding mechanism adapted to cut and fold a sheet of paper into quarter size and square shape, 'and mecha nism including a series of grouped conicalprimary folded I rolls for finally folding the sheet into c ornuco iashape.

A machine of comprising a primary folding mechanism adapted to cut and fold a sheet into quarter size'and'square shape, mechanism including a series of grouped conical rolls for finally folding the primary folded sheet into cornucopiashape, and mechanism for projecting the finally folded product into a contalner.

the character described,

3. A machine of the character described,

comprising a primary folding mechanism adapted to cut and fold a sheet of paper into quarter size and square shape, conical roll mechanism for finally folding the latter into cornucopia sha e. mechanism for projecting the finally fol ed product into a container,

and a cornucopia shaped container for receiving and massing the finally folded product.

4. A machine of the character described,

comprising-a. primary folding mechanism adapted to cut and twice fold a sheet, conical roll mechanism for finally folding the latter into cornucopia sha e, mechanism for projecting the finally' fo ded product into a container, a cornucopia shaped container for receiving and massing the finall folded prod -uct, and nteans at the mouti of the container to "prevent .receding of the product when the pro ectmg mechanism recedes from the container.

'5. A machine of the character 'doscribedw comprising a primary folding mechanism w adapted to cutfarld twice folda sheet, conical roll m'echanis'infor finally folding tho latter into cornucopia sha e, mechanism for projecting the finally fol ed roduct into a container, a cornucopia shape container for receiving and massing-= the final folded product, means at the mouth of the ntainer to prevent receding of the rodlict when projecting mechanism rece es from'the cons tainer. and suction means cooperating with the primary folding-mechanism,

G. A machine of the character' described,

comprising a primary folding mechanism adapted to cut and twice fold a sheet, grouped conical roll mechanism for finally folding the latter into cornucopia shape,

mechanism for projecting the finally folded product into a container, a cornucopia shaped container for receiving and massing the finally folded product, means at the mouth of the container to prevent receding of the product when the projecting mechanism recedes from the container, suction means cooperating with the primary folding mechanism, and means for actuating the,

- folding mechanisms and projecting mechanism in timed relations to one another.

7. A machine of the character described, comprising a frame structure, an inclined folder in the upper portion thereof, and adapted to longitudinally fold a' sheet of paper passing thereover, rolls below the folder to guide the folded sheet, coacting folding and cutting mechanism in the path of said sheet when passed between the first named rolls, to' transversely fold and cut .the sheet, whereby the latter will assume substantially quarter size, means for feeding the latter downwardly, astop for limiting the downward movement of the quarter sized prodnot, and mechanism for finally folding said last namcdproduct into cornucopia shape and including a group'of conical shaped rolls, and tuckers ceasing; therewith.

8. A machine of the character described,

='= comprising a frame structure,l an inclined folder in the upper portion thereof, and adapted to longitudinallyfold a sheet of paper passing thereover, rolls immediately below-the folder tocguide the folded sheet, coacting folding and cutting mechanism in the path of said sheet when between said first named rolls, to transversely fold and cut the sheet. whereby the latter will assome substantially quarter size, means for feeding the latter downwardly, a'stop for limiting the downward movementof thethe latter downwardly, a stop for limiting the downward movement of said product, meclmmsm for finally folding said product into cornucopia shape and including it feeding the sheet to the folder.

group 6- conica1 shaped rolls and tuckers coacting therewith, a receiver for the finally folded product, and means for pushing the product into the .receiver when leaving the lastnamed mechanism.

10. A machine of the character described, comprising a frame structure, a folder in said frame and adapted to longitudinally fold a sheetzof material passing thereover, rolls below said folder to guide thefolded sheet, coacting folding and cutting mechanism in the path of said sheet to transverse'lyfoldian d cut the sheet, whereby the latter will assume sulbstantiallysquare quarter size, means for feeding the latter downwardly,a stop for limiting the downward movement of the product, conical roll mechanism for finally folding said product into cornucopia shape,"a receiver for t e. finally folded product, means for pushing the "product into the receiverwhen leaving the last named mechanism, and means for 1 1. A machine of the character described, comprising a frame, a folder in said frame and adapted to longitudinally fold a sheet of material passing thereover, rolls below said folder to guidethe'foldedsheet, coact} ing folding and cutting mechanism in the path of said sheet to transversely fold and cut the sheet, whereby the latter will assume substantially square quarter size, means for feeding the latter downwardly, a

stop for limiting the downward movement of the product, conical roll mechanism for,

finally folding said product into cornucopia duct, means for pushing the .product into shape, a receiver for the,finally folded prothe receiver whenleaving the lastnamed mechanism, means for feeding the sheet to the folder, and mechanism for timing and. driving the cutting and folding mechanism and rolls.

l2.- A machine of the con' prising a framepa folder in said frame and adapted to longitudinally fold a sheet of material passing thereover, rolls below character described,

said folder to guide the folded sheet, coact- 1 ing folding and cutting mechanism in the path of ,said sheet to transversely fold and.

cut the sheet, whereby the latter, will assume substantially square quarter size, means for feeding the latter downwardly, a stop for limiting the downward movement of the product, conical roll mechanism for finally folding said product into cornucopia shape, a receiver for the finally folded roduct, means for pushing the folded pro. not into the receiver when leaving the last named mechanism, means for feeding the sheet to the folder, mechanism for timing and driving the cutting and folding mech anism', and rolls, and means retaining the product initially introduced in the receiver.

13. A machine of the character described,

iso'

comprising a primary folding mechanism roll mechanism for finally folding the latter adapted to out and fold a sheet of paper into substantially? cornucopia shape, and

into quarter size and square shape, and mechanism for projecting the finally folded conical roll mechanism for finally folding product into a container.

the latter into cornucopia shape. In testimony whereof We affix our signa- 14. A machine ofthe character described, tures.

' comprising a primary folding mechanism GLENN-A. SHAFFER.

adapted to cut and twice fold a sheet, conical FRANKLIN H. WIRTZ. 

